Access to affected communities, however, has resumed after a number of roads were made impassable due to landslides. “We have reached all the affected areas, but rescue operations by the Sri Lankan armed forces are continuing,” said Kodipilli.

Rain across the island is expected to continue over the next 24 hours which could result in further landslides over the next couple of days, Sri Lanka’s Meteorological Department reported.

“People should be careful about possible floods, landslides, earth slips and rock falls,” said Minister of Disaster Management Mahinda Amaraweera.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Colombo, the situation at the moment appears largely under control.